Cook County Health • System News • December 2023

January 2024

Letter from the CEO

Dear Cook County Health friends and partners,

As we shared last month, Cook County Health is hosting our inaugural Cook County Behavioral Health Summit on Thursday, February 15 at the UIC Dorin Forum. The event will bring together clinicians, community organizations, local leaders, and others to discuss opportunities for improving and expanding access to care to resolve behavioral health inequities across the entire region.

Creating stronger systems of behavioral health care is critical to fostering better physical, mental, and social outcomes for residents across Cook County. Perspectives gathered at the summit will be instrumental in helping to develop Cook County’s Behavioral Health Strategic Plan as we look to structure upcoming community-based funding opportunities from the Cook County Health Impact Fund.

We are thrilled with the response to this event: it is currently at capacity. To be added to the waitlist, please email [email protected].

This is the first of many opportunities for partnership in the behavioral health space, and we know that we are stronger together. Thank you for all your support as we collectively work to ensure equity in behavioral health care across our county.

Dr. Erik Mikaitis

Interim CEO, Cook County Health

CountyCare Access: Providing Health Benefits to Immigrant Adults & Seniors

CountyCare expects to welcome more than 40,000 new members that are part of the Health Benefits for Immigrant Adults and Seniors (HBIA/S) programs between January and April 2024 into CountyCare Access, its new program for HBIA/S enrollees.

In 2020, Illinois became the first state in the nation to provide health coverage to low-income seniors who are not U.S. citizens and were not eligible for traditional Medicaid. The program, Health Benefits for Immigrant Adults/Seniors (HBIA/S), has grown to include immigrants ages 42 and older over the past few years. HBIA/S provides members with comprehensive coverage for medical services with benefits like Medicaid. Total membership in HBIA/S is nearly 69,000 and new enrollment is currently paused.

At the start of the year, the State of Illinois began assigning all HBIA/S members to managed care plans across the State. Most HBIA/S members in Cook County will be assigned to CountyCare.

CountyCare Access benefits include:

Robust provider network of more than 6,600 primary care providers (PCPs), 25,000 specialists, 125 urgent care locations, and 70 hospitals
Primary, specialty, and hospital care; rehabilitative services (PT/OT); lab tests; prescription drugs; mental health care and more
Comprehensive pharmacy, dental, and vision benefits
No-cost sharing or co-payments
Care coordination
Visa Cash Rewards when members go to the doctor for certain visits or preventive services

CountyCare is currently the only managed care plan not requiring co-pays for HBIA/S members. We believe this is the right thing to do to eliminate barriers to care for members and prioritize our commitment to health equity.

Any members or health care providers with questions regarding CountyCare Access benefits or rewards can call CountyCare Member Services at 312-864-8200, 711 (TTY/TDD) Monday-Friday: 8:00am – 6:00pm or Saturday: 9:00am–1:00pm.

To learn more about CountyCare Access, please visit: https://countycare.com/access/

Cook County Health Provides $1B in Community Benefits

As an essential community asset, Cook County Health is proud to invest in the health of those whom we serve. We do this by providing free and discounted medical care, offering public health services, funding community-based resources, educating the next generation of health care providers and more. In all, Cook County Health provided $1 billion in community benefits in 2022.

The $1 billion investment includes the services Cook County Health provides as a health system and public health authority. Cook County Health’s two hospitals provide approximately 40% of the free medical care offered by all hospitals in the county.

To learn more, visit here.

Chicago Magazine Recognizes Cook County Health Physicians

Four Cook County Health physicians were named to Chicago Magazine’s annual Top Doctors list. The list is made up of more than 1,300 doctors across the area who are nominated by their peers for being a top doctor in their respective field.

Congratulations to Dr. Michael C. Giovingo (Ophthalmology); Dr. Elizabeth A. Marcus (Breast Oncology Surgery); Dr. Bosko Margeta (Cardiology); and Dr. Sharon Welbel (Infectious Disease).

Cook County Health Provides Cervical Health Education to Patients, Visitors

January is Cervical Cancer Awareness Month. More than 20 percent of cervical cancers are found in women over 65, but the incidences of cervical cancer in women ages 30-44 have increased in recent years.

In recognition of Cervical Cancer Awareness Month and to provide education, Cook County Health held a Cervical Cancer Screening Education Fair, providing screening information and helping patients learn about their risk. More than 200 people stopped by the booths.

To learn more about Cook County Health’s women’s health services, visit our website.

Advanced Practice Provider Fellowship Accreditation

The Advanced Practice Provider Fellowship at Cook County Health has been awarded accreditation by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). Advanced practice provider (APP) is a term used to describe nurse practitioners and physician assistants who are professionals trained to care for patients under the supervision of a physician. APPs are licensed to provide primary and specialty care, order diagnostic tests and prescribe medication.

“This prestigious recognition reflects the high standards and quality of our fellowship program, affirming our dedication to delivering exceptional education and fostering the development of competent and skilled advanced practice providers and commitment to meeting national standards,” said Beena Peters, DNP, Chief Nursing Executive, CCH.

CCH’s APP fellowship is the only ANCC-accredited program in Chicago.

Cook County Health’s North Riverside Health Center Hosts Community Alliance

Earlier this month, Cook County Health hosted The Community Alliance, which represents 60 community organizations that service the western suburbs, at our North Riverside Health Center.

The event provided CCH the opportunity to highlight our health system updates as well as promote services that the clinic offers.

Upcoming COVID-19 and Flu Vaccine Clinics

Cook County Department of Public Health will be holding vaccine clinics at Cook County Health community health centers in February. Flu and COVID vaccines are available to those ages 6 months and up. Protect yourself and the community during respiratory virus season.

Awards and Recognitions

Congratulations to CCH Interim CEO, Dr. Erik Mikaitis for getting recognized by Crain's Chicago Business in their Who's Who list for 2024! The list highlights those leaders who are influential in the Chicagoland area across a variety of sectors.

The Illinois Department of Public Health has re-designated Stroger Hospital as an Adult Level 1 Trauma Center through 2025. Congratulations to everyone who made this possible!

Congratulations to Gina Massuda Barnett, Deputy Director of Public Health Programs, Cook County Department of Public Health, for getting selected for the 2024 cohort of the University of Chicago Civic Leadership Academy (CLA) based at the Center for Effective Government and the Harris School of Public Policy.